The Centre for Life has to be about the most child-friendly place in the universe. It is one giant playpark and once you have paid your annual membership - free! From babies, to toddlers to pre-schoolers to school children, it's just brilliant. The kids can run wild, they can't break anything, they can dress up, play in a toy kitchen that is better than my own real kitchen at home, watch a film in the planetarium, build towers, climb in car, and mums and dads can get a Starbucks coffee - and that is just a fraction of what's on offer. The under 7s area upstairs is the best I have ever seen in a North East venue. Instead of the usual soft play, there is a designer kitchen, shop with cash registers, a tree house for hiding in as well as a small soft play area, and activity tables from lego to drawing.
My children's other highlights are the daily film showings, special short ones of about ten minutes shown for younger children, based on an educational theme and in a planetarium style cinema. Another winner for me is that there is a free picnic area, so you can bring your own food if you wish and are not forced to eat in the cafe.
visit www.life.org.uk/
An adult annual pass is £24.95 including £2 gift aid and a child is £18.95 again including £2 gift aid. under 2s are free
Admission for the day only is £9.95 for adults and £6.95 for children including gift aid.
top tips - visit the children's planetarium show, the under 7s area and bring your own picnic.
Only downside: during the week it can be very busy if school trips are in and sometimes certain parts are closed if an exhibition is being changes, so maybe ring ahead and check what's happening.
